Dam construction



v E. L. BROOME DAM CONSTRUCTION Filed July 15, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES I BY f,

l72m ATTYORNEY' May 22. 1923.

E. L. BROOME DAM CONSTRUCTION .5 She'ets-Sheet Filed July 15, 1925 .IIIIIIIIII IIIIII. Ill

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V 1,670,710 I E. BROOME DAM CONSTRUCTION Filed July 15, 1925 '5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY w Patent May 22,1928;

UNITED srarss PATENT. Fr -cs.

EE1\TEST L. BRQOME, OF. TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK.

DAM CONSTRUCTION. I

Application filed July 15, 1925. Serial No. 48,836.

This invention relates to the construction of dams for water power plants, and par-- ticularly to the location and arrangement of the sluiceways and gates, and the means 5 for controlling the operation of the gates.

out damage to the plant, or to the riparian owners. Consideration must be given not only to the usual periodical flood, but also to the unusual or historical flood, which may perhaps occur once in a generation. The

' dam'must be built on a secure foundation,

and be able to withstand all possible destructional forces. I

It is usually found, therefore, that the narrow rocky stretches of the water course afford better dam sites than the wide shalcrest to discharge the maximum flood, or at points where sufficient length of crest is obtainable the foundation conditions are questionable.

At the same time the cost of construction must be kept within the limit of profitable 7 investment. The result is almost invariably a compromise between the longest possible crest or spillwa and the best foundations obtainable within the estimated cost. The historical flood, however, is always in the background, and it is usual to place in the crest or spillway so-called flood gates,w hich can,- in case of need, be opened to take care of the dangerous surplus of water. 'These gates arev frequently of large size, and quite often are frozen in solidly at atime'when they are most needed, necessitating arduous and dangerous work to free them. Then too, they are often obstructed by floating debris or are subjected to damage from masses 0 floating ice. g

' It should also be borne in mind that at:- cordin to a well-flown law of hydraulics, the ve ocity of discharge through an opening in thei tsiide of a reservoir is apprommat/ely propo meal to. the square root of the head, which is determined by the vertical distance between .theicenter of the opening and the surface of the liquidinthe reservoir.

Obviously, therefore, for an equivalent charge, submerged openings will be much smaller in area than-openings at the crest, with the net result that the necessary length of the dam and the quantity of masonry will be very materially reduced if the openings are submerged, and the number of apparatus units and the cost of construction will be much less.

It is customary to install submerged sluice gates in separate, retaining sections of dams, where the hoisting cables are not subjected to damage from ice or from floating objects, frequently carried by flowing water,

as they would be if installed in spillway. sections. With dams in which the spillway is of relatively small length, such as storage dams for water supply, the use of the retaining section is customary; and .with dams in streams subject to large floods, the capacity of. the spillway is a prime consideration and the elimination of the retaining section usually an important factor.

The restriction of the spillway due to the retaining section is often so important, that several devices have been proposed, enabling the installation of submerged gates in the spillway section, in which the operating mechanism is not subject to damage from surface conditions. However, such devices as have been heretofore used are difficult of access forinspection or repair without considerable expense or loss of stored water. I

propose a submerged gate, so suspended and operated that it can be placed in the spillway section of a dam with, its operating mechanism protected from surface conditions and at the same time be quickly removed for'inspection or repair with minimum expense and minimum loss of stored water. My invention embodies the combination of a protected hoisting mechanism with a suspension providing a quick means of removal.

With the above factsin mind, therefore, the general object of the present invention is to provide an economical and practical construction in which submerged sluice gates are used in place of the usual so-called crest gates, thus permitting the dischar e of a given amount of flood waterthrong openings of minimum area. At the same time interference from freezing, or from floating ice or other flotsam is prevented, and the gates are alyvays in operative conditlon, becauseall ofthe regular opemngand clos ing mechanism is 'rotected from freezing and from surface 0 stacles.

It is also an objectof the invention to provide such a construction that the gate can be hoisted to the surface andremoved for inspection or repair, when necessary, with a minimum loss of stored water.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the type herein described in which the sluiceways, gates and operating mechanism therefor are so arranged that they do not interfere materially with the discharge of the spillway, or neces sitate the construction of a longer spillway than is necessary to take care of the normal flow, as their length may run concurrently with the length of the spillway.

The invention also embodies various other distinctive features, the objects and advantagesjof which will be fully explained in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention in its preferred form.

In the drawings a igure 1 is a vertical section through a dam constructed according to my invention. Figure 2 is anelevation looking from the inside of the reservoir with portions broken away and shown in section.

two spaced sheaves 22 and 23 mounted in a recess .24, which is formed in the side of the hoistway 15 sufficiently below the crest of F1 ure 3 is a horizontal-section through the s uiceways.

Figure 41s a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale showing a portion of the mechanism for controlling the gates.

Figure 5 1s a detail section showing a portion of the means for sup orting the .g'ates,

' and for lifting them out or inspection.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the

' main 'part of the masonry-structure 10 is of the usual 'sha e, and may be provided atits crest with a ash board 11, such as is generally used in dams of this character. The

base of the structure 10 isprovided with a plurality of sluiceways 12 extending longitudinally. therethrough, and each provided at its inlet end with a seat 13, on which is seated a sluice gate 14. The gate is preferlbly of the caterpillar type, mounted on wheels or rollers, similar to that shown in my U. S. Patent 1,306,370, issued June 10,

"1-919, and the seat 13 is slightly inclined so that the vertical component. of the pressure on the movable gate together with the weight of the movable gate and its attachments are the sole forces acting to close the gate. The

. structure of the gate itself forms no part of i the present inventipn, and a detailed descrip tion thereof is unnecessary.

For the purposes of the resent invention, it is sufiicient to note that't e gate 14 is sus-" pended at the bottom ofa hoistway '15, which extends from the sluiceway. 12 to the crest of the dam, and may be vertical asshown, or at any preferred angle. One or more sheaves 16- are mounted on the upthe dam 'to prevent freezing. From the redirection upwardly through a conduit 25 formed in or set in the masonry, and over a sheave 26 to a winding drum 27 driven by hand power or other well known motor.

The drum 27 and sheave 26 are mounted on a platform or bridge 28, which is supported on the spillway above the maximum high water by pillars 29.

The upper end of the hoistway 15 is closed by a cover plate 30, whose upper surface confornis to the surface of the spillway and is flush therewith','and which may be removed when it is desired to withdraw the gate for inspection or repairs. The upper end of the suspension member 19 is formed 1 with an eye 31, adapted to be engaged by a hook, so that the gate may be raised by means of any suitab e structure or crane 32 situated on the latform 281t When the gate is thus. remove the cable v17 is prevented from chafing by the sheave 23. Small holes The entrance to the sluiceway 12 may be protected by a grating 35, and the edges of this entrance openin are rounded, as shown at 36, so as to form t e least resistance to the flow of water therethrough. The top edge 36 is slightly lower than the top bar of the the frame 13, and the distance between the side edges 36 is slightly less than the width of gate opening,.as best shown in Figure 3,

set at a prism of water. flowing into the mouth of the sluiceway will not impinge against the sharp edges of the gate opening to form eddy currents which would impede the flow. v I

It has been observed that wherever the water passesthrough a restricted channel or sluiceway, under a considerable head, that the surface erosion near the entrance to the sluiceway is excessive. This erosion is generally believed to be the result of the formation of a partial vacuum due to the contraction of the escaping jet. In order to prevent such destructive action, a recess 37 is formed entirely aroundthe' sluiceway, and this re case is connected to the atmosphere by a vent pipe 38, so that atmospheric pressure is al-.

discharged through the submerged gates as could be discharged through surface flood gates having an area several times as largeQ By the construction herein described, the submerged gates are easily operated, and may be easily removed for inspection or repairs. Their operation is entirely independ ent of surface conditions, and cannot be interfered with by floating ice or dbris, and cannot freeze in.- In very severe weather, the conduit 25 may be filled with oilto prevent any possibility of freezing therein.

' Itshould be further noted that the arrangement herein described presents the novel possibility of installing submerged gates in the spillway of the dam, the discharge through the gates supplementing the discharge over the spillway. It is customary to install submerged gates in a section separate from the spillway of a dam, where the hoisting and suspension mechanism is removed from the flow of water, thus greatly increasing the cost of construction, and making it necessary to choose the dam site where a suflicient lengthvof dam could be obtained. With my arrangement, the sub-' merged gates do not add to the length of the dam, and the hoisting and suspension mechanism is protected from the flow. I

While I have shown and described in detail the specific arrangement, which appears .crest and having a sluiceway therethrough below the crest, a gate for said sluiceway, a

hoistway extending upwardly from the gate through the masonry, a passageway extending laterally and upwardly from a point in' the hoistway where there is no danger Of' freezing, a hoisting device supported above said passageway, and a cable extending through said passageway and into said hoistway forsuspending the gate and connected at one end to said hoisting device and operable thereby to open or close the gate.

2. In a dam, the combination of a masonry structure having a spillway over its crest and having a sluiceway therethrough below the crest, a gate for said sluiceway,va hoistway extending upwardly from the gate a through the masonry, a passageway extending laterally and upwardly from a point in the hoistwa where there is no danger of freezing, a oisting device supported above said passageway, a cable extending through said passageway and into said hoistway for,

suspending the gateand connectedat one end to said hoisting device and operable thereby to open or close the gate, a suspensional member connected to the other end of the cable, and means connected with said suspensional member for raising the gate up through the hoistway for inspection or repairs. 5

3. In a dam, the combination of a 'masonry structure having a spillway o-ver'its crest and having a sluiceway therethrough below the crest, a gate for said sluiceway, a hoistway extending upwardly from the gate through the masonry, a platform located directly over .the spillway, pillars-supporting said platform, one of said pillars being centered approximately over the center of the gate, a hoisting device mounted on the platform, a cable located paritly in said.

hoistway for suspending the gate con nected at one end to said hoisting device and operable thereby to open 'or close the gate, a

a suspenslonal -member connected to the other end 'of the cable, and means connected with said suspensional member for raising the gate' up through the hoistway for 1nspection or repairs.

. .4. In a dam, the combination of a masonry structure having a spillway overits crest and having a sluiceway therethrough below the crest, a gate forsaid sluiceway, a hoistway extending vertically upwardly from the gate through the masonry, the upper portion of said hoistway being enlarged to form pockets, a frame resting 1n sa1d pockets, a suspensional member supported by said frame, an inclined passagewayextending laterally and upwardly from a polnt in the hoistway below said pockets, a holsting device supported above said passageway, and a cable supported at one end by the suspensional member, its other end extending upwardly through sald passageway and being connected to the hoisting device, the

intermediate portion of said cable being op- .eratively connected to the gate, whereby the latter may be opened or closed.

5. In a dam, he combination of amason- .r'y' structure having a spillway over its crest and having a sluicewaytherethroughbelow the crest, a gate for sald slu1ceway,.a hoistway extending vertically upwardly above the gate through the masonry, the upper ortion of said. hoistway beingenlarged to form pockets,a frame resting in.said pockets, a cover for the hoistway conforming to the superficial contour of the spillway, asuspensional member supported by said frame, an inclined assageway extending laterally and upwar y from a point 1n the hoistway below said pockets, 2. 10-.

cated directly over the spillway, pillars supporting said platform, a hoisting device mounted on the platform'above the upper end of said inclined passageway, a cable located partly within the hoistway and supported at one end'by said suspensional memher, the other end of the cable extending upwardly through said passageway and connected to the hoisting device, the intermediate'portion of said cable being operatively connected to the gate, whereby the latter may be opened or closed.

6. In a dam, the combination of a masonry structure having a spillway over its crest and having a sluiceway therethrough below the crest, a gate for said slu-iceway, a hoistway extending vertically upwardly from the gate through the masonry, the upper portion of said hoistway being enlarged to form pockets, a. frame resting in said pockets, a suspensional member supported by said frame, an inclined passageway extending later'ally and upwardly from a point in the hoistway below said pockets, a hoisting device supported above said passageway, a

cable supported at one end by the suspensional member, its other end extending up wardly through said'passageway and beingconnected to the hoisting device, the intermediate portion of said cable being operatively connected. to the gate, whereby, the latter may be opened or closed, and means for engaging the suspensional member to lift the same and thereby lift the gate out of the hoistway for inspectionor repairs.

7. In a dam, thecombination of a masonry structure having a spillway over its crest and having a sluiceway therethrough below the crest, a gate for said sluiceway, a hoistway extending vertically upwardly above the gate through the' masonry, the upper portion of said hoistway being enlarged to form pockets, a frame resting in said .pock- 'ets, a suspensionalmember supported by said frame, an inclined assageway extending laterally and upwar ly'from a point in the hoistway below said pockets, a platform located -directly over the. spillway, pillars supporting said platform, one of said pillars being centered approximately over the center of the gate, a hoisting devieemounted on the. platform above the upper end of said inclined passageway, a cable locatedpartly within-the hoistway and supported: at one end by said suspensional member. the otherend of the cable extendingflupwardly through said passageway and connected to the hoistmg. device, the intermediate portion of said a cable being operatively connected to the gate,

whereby he latter may be opened or closed, andlifti g means supported by the platform and engageable with the suspensional member to lift-the same and thei'eby lift the gate out of the hoistway for inspection or repairs. 1

8. In a dam, the combination of a masonry structure having a spillway over its crest and having a sluiceway therethrough below the crest, a gate for said sluiceway, an incliucd frame on which the gate is normally held seated'by the downward as well as the lateral pressure of the waterv above the structure having a spillway over its crest f and having a sluiccway therethrough below the crest, a gate for said sluiceway, an incli'ned frame on which the gate is normally held seated by the downward as well as the lateral pressure of the water above the dam, a hoistway extending upwardly from the gate through the masonry, a platform located directly over the spillway. pillars sup.- porting said platform, one of said pillars being centered approximately over the center of the gate, a hoisting device mounted on the platform, and a cable extending through a portion of said hoistway and connecting the gate to the hoisting device and'operable by the'latter to raise or lower the gate.

10. In a dam construction, a submerged sluice near the base thereof and arranged below the spillway; a gravity sluice gate adapted to be lowered to seal the sluiceway;

operating mechanism for the sluice gate including a cable so arranged that it is not exposed to flowing water in the spillway;-

sluice arranged belo'w the spillway; a substantially vertical hatch-way above the mouth of the sluice and having a cover at "the crest of the spillway; a sluice gate adapted to seal the mouth of the sluice suspended below the hatch-way cover; a hoisting cable connected to the suspending means for the sluice gate and projecting through a portion of the dam where it is not subject .to damage by floating objects or to freezing;

and a hoisting means accessibly arranged to raise and lower the sluice gate.

In-testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have .hereto aflixed my signature. i

' ERNEST 'L.' BROOME-i; 

